There was a time when skateboarding was considered a crime. There was a time when French for skateboard was ‘rouli-roulant’.
Or so it seems, watching this Canadian short-film about this new phenomenon called skateboarding that took over the streets back in 1965: The Devil’s Toy / Le Rouli-roulant :
Such beautiful photography isn’t it? And what a killer soundtrack!
“It was frowned upon by the constabulary and disapproving adults, but the skateboard gave the youngsters who mastered its technique a thrilling sensation of speed unexcelled by any other pavement sport. Filmed in 1966 on Montréal streets before the elongated roller skate was banned, this film captures the exuberance of boys and girls having the time of their lives in free-wheeling downhill locomotion.”
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[...] there you go, acting all cool on your Rouli Roulant, thinking you’re so next level? Think again, because in comes the circle board. Madness at [...]
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Oct 11th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Thanks!
i’m a modest skateboard collector, that kind of pictures is a real treasure for me.
L.
Oct 11th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
this is so fucking cool!
thx
Oct 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
beautiful. modern
thank you!
Oct 12th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Fantastico!!
Oct 25th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Wow! love these images!.
In the second video, around 5: when the voice over sais “la vie a retrouvé son harmonie” that reminded me really much of Amelie Poulain.
Just earlier this morning I was watching the Los Angelos riots, and the similarities and at the same time contrast (such innocensce) with the youngsters, after their Rouli-Roulants are taken away by the police – is striking.
Other than that, I love the photography, especially the effects – the elongated ‘upside down” in the skating rink and near the end, the reflections in the water (without ever losing the effect by panning to “real view”).
Vic and/or Lloyd: Thanks!